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Miscellaneous WWE News Thread.

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The original plan was for Rey Mysterio Jr. to return to action in July, however, the new plan has him shooting for a mid May return.

WWR has done it again, following interviews with Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, Eric Bischoff, DDP, Billy Gunn and many more, Dave & Ger fulfilled one of their biggest ambitions when they got to speak to the best wrestler in the WWE today, Chris Benoit. Go To www.WorldWrestlingRevolution.com

Ted DiBiase Jr. will be working the Pro Wrestling NOAH tour, 4/1 to 4/28. DiBiase Jr. joins former WWE superstar Joe E. Legend (Just Joe) and Bryan Danielson.

The Rock keeps in regular contact with Raw head writer Brian Gerwitz, and it was Gerwitz who asked The Rock to do the cameo appearance last week. The Rock did the promo without a script.
 
According to Forbes magazine, neither Vincent K. McMahon nor Bodog's Calvin Ayre are billionaires. The magazine reports that Ayre has lost $500 million of his fortune in the past year. Despite not making the list of billionaires, The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that McMahon's stock is worth a cool $749 million. Forbes estimated Donald Trump's net worth at $2.9 billion.
 
Jim Ross has added a new blog over on his official website (jrsbarbq.com) where he talks about who will be inducting Mr. Fuji at the 2007 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, the status of some young talent under WWE deals and more. Here are some highlights:

On who will induct Mr. Fuji into the Hall of Fame:
"Crafty Mr. Fuji, who lives near Knoxville, Tennessee, will no doubt pull a major practical joke on someone at Wrestlemania. Fuji Vice will have Don Muraco as his presenter, unless something changes. Muraco is a great story teller too and was one helluva hand in his day and is already a WWE Hall of Famer."

The status of Harry Smith & Nattie Neidhart:
"Our Canadian readers frequently ask about the status of Harry Smith and Nattie Neidhart. As far as I know they are training and getting ready to hopefully get the phone call from the WWE they are awaiting. I see no rush. More young talents are called up too soon in my opinion, than not, and the longer an athlete can prepare for the big time the better. Anyone showing up on a major TV program with less than 2-3 years experience in a comprehensive training environment is either a rare natural or they have been picked too green. Plus, I am not sold that re-forming a new-era Hart Foundation is the way to go, but I do know that the Hart kids are really talented and will no doubt make their marks on the business if they so choose."

When Triple H will return to WWE:
"I am told that HHH’s rehab is going really well. HHH will work as hard as humanly possible to heal as quickly as Mother Nature will allow. I expect to see HHH back on Raw in late Summer or early Fall. He’s a tough guy to endure this rehab procedure not once but twice."

Thoughts on The Undertaker:
"Finally, I have never heard anyone stupid enough to cross the Undertaker behind closed doors or in a bar or in a parking lot….you get the picture. Interesting question I suppose. The Undertaker is “The Man” in the WWE as it relates to seniority and locker room respect. Every good thing someone could say about Taker is well deserved. Using a Ladd-ism, “The Undertaker wears a size 17 shoe and his feet covers the ground he walks on.”"
 
Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

As we’ve been reporting the past several week’s, WWE is very interested in signing Mexican star, Mistico. Those close to Mistico believe he can get out of his contract with CMLL. Last week, Mistico had a lot of momentum in his favor with WWE officials and wrestlers and had a contract offer. All talks died down when WWE officials found out that he was under contract with CMLL.

Officials were turned away by his contract with CMLL, the amount of time it would take to get him to the US and then having to send him to OVW so he could learn how to wrestle the WWE style. The earliest we could see him in OVW would be summer some time. The amount of time and work is the only downfall on their interest.

Several people backstage were arguing that it’s better to get things going now. They want him in the US and working in OVW because he is a valuable asset to the company if they were to go through with an expansion in to the Latin territory.

When Rey Mysterio got word of WWE losing interest in signing Mistico, he called the office and told them they were crazy for letting this pass them by. Mysterio said that Mistico resembles Rey in his prime. John Laurinaitis was surprised to hear Mysterio speak up on this situation because John thought Mysterio would feel threatened by Mistico’s presence in WWE. The feeling backstage is that Mysterio would like to train with Mistico as a teacher/student relationship.

With several people speaking up backstage, WWE officials are going to consider signing Mistico. If they were to sign Mistico, Stephanie wants him to be repackaged with a new gimmick and look. They would remove the mask and give him a new, overall, look.
 
Partial Credit: PWInsider.com

- This June WWE was scheduling to release a three disc “Best Of The Rock” DVD set. The Rock was asked if he could help promote the DVD set when it was released and he refused. With that being said, they might not be releasing the DVD after all.

- This week Mick Foley’s third autobiography will be debuting in 7th place on the New York Times bestsellers list. Although his first two made their debut in the first place, 'The Hardcore Dairies' did pretty good considering the lack of marketing on WWE television until recently.

- WWE will be screening for the first time on Friday, March 30th, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Steve Austin’s new movie “The Condemned”. Most WWE Superstars will be attendance and fans who purchased the Wrestlemana Travel Package were given this deal. All the complimentary tickets that were available during Wrestlemania weekend are now gone.
 
As previously reported, a funeral service for WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland will be held today at the Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale, NY. Vince McMahon is slated to speak at the funeral, and then fly out to Indianapolis to be on hand for RAW tonight. Skaaland passed away on 3/13 at the age of 82.

The episode of CW's episode of "Smallville" featuring Kane and Ashley will air on 3/22.

Dave Meltzer reports that WWE and El Hijo del Santo have come to an agreement to feature Santo on the company's WWE Mobile video service as part of the new deal with AT&T.
 
Amy "Lita" Dumas has announced that her band, The Luchagors, has completed recording songs for their debut CD. The album is being produced by Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan.

WWE is currently the seventh most searched term on Yahoo!

Lance Storm has two new commentaries up. The first one is about WWE's proposed international expansion and can be read StormWrestling while the second is another Q&A column.

WWE is mentioned in a Multichannel News article about the battle between Viacom and Google/YouTube over the posting of copyrighted video footage by users. The article uses WWE's situation as an example. WWE usually has most of their copyrighted video footage removed from YouTube.
 
The following is from WWE.com:

Lilian Garcia will not be performing her duties as ring announcer on tonight’s Raw due to an injury she suffered while skiing this weekend in Killington, Vt. The Raw Diva twisted her knee in some heavy snow on a diamond run Saturday. She was examined by doctors in Vermont, and will undergo an MRI tonight to determine the extent of the injury.

But fear not, Lilian is aiming for a return to Raw next week. According to the Raw Diva, she’s already on the mend.

“I’ve been a skier my whole life, and have never had any accidents whatsoever,” said Lilian, while recuperating at her home in New York. “I went off a jump and into some powder. The binding should have released my foot, but instead the whole ski twisted left and I felt a pop.”

Tonight’s MRI should shed light on whether or not Lilian will require surgery for the injury.
 
was reported over the weekend that WWE had signed a bikini model by the name of Christine LeMaster to a contract. As it turns out, that is not true. On her MySpace page, myspace.com/christinelemaster, LeMaster denies the reports. However, she said she was offered a WWE developmental contract, but she rejected it. Here is her message:

Regarding the WWE contract.....

Hey guys, first of all thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement and congratulations! I guess a few websites have been reporting that I have recently signed a development contract with WWE...unfortunately that is not the case. It is true that I have been offered a developmental contract, but at this time I have decided not to sign with WWE. I hate to dissapoint, but it does not appear to be in my best interests personally and professionally with my current situation.

Everybody at WWE has been absolutely wonderful and the organization as a whole is an amazing company which has done nothing but treat me with respect and professionalism. I hope to continue to work with WWE and keep an ongoing relationship with them for the future.....you never know what the future may hold though so stay tuned to WWE!

In the mean time keep your eye out for my March layout in BTM magazine, various ads throughout the country, and upcoming 2008 & 2009 calendars!

Thanks again for your love & support!

~ Christine

It was also reported over the weekend that WWE had signed five wrestlers from the Massachusetts-based Chaotic Wrestling indy promotion to developmental contracts. That is not true either. Jamie Jamitkowski, the CEO of Chaotic Wrestling made the following statement:

"Contrary to various internet reports this weekend, no Chaotic Wrestlers have been signed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) this week. In the past, a number of Chaotic workers have been signed, including Aaron Stevens, Kenny (Dykstra) Phoenix, Mike Kruel, Kofi Nahaje Kingston, and most recently Thomas Penmanship. Chaotic Wrestling is pleased to have a positive relationship with WWE, including hosting a WWE tryout in August of 2006 and we look forward to seeing more members of Chaotic Wrestling in WWE soon
 
Dave Meltzer is reporting that Vince McMahon is attempting to get JBL back in the ring on a full-time basis. The former world champion will undergo a new treatment for his broken vertebrae and herniated disc in his lower back, the injury that resulted in JBL retiring from the squared circle. At last word, JBL was in no shape to return this quickly so tonight's match could be some sort of an angle. We'll see though.

Mauro Ranallo was a guest on Dave Meltzer's radio show on Sunday night. He attended Bad News Brown's funeral service. Ranallo said it was quite emotional with tributes done by his wife Helen, daughter April, and former ECW and WWF personality Don Callis (Cyrus/The Jackyl).

Charter Cable is the latest cable service to pick up WWE's 24/7 Video On Demand service starting on March 29. The monthly subscription fee will be $7.99 a month.
 
MultiChannel News has an article up looking at the battle between Viacom and Google/YouTube over the use of copyrighted material. Footage of WWE programming is mentioned in the article and how the company has attempted to get all copyrighted video removed from the website. However, WWE's Vice President of Coroprate Communications Gary Davis stated that the WWE is working with YouTube now to promote its programming.

Photos of Edge on MadTV are up at WWE.com.

Part 1 of a video series on WWE.com has started airing focusing on Trish Stratus at WWE.com. The first video looks at her retirement match last year in September at the Unforgiven PPV.

The Detroit Free Press has an article up about the annual WWE Video Game Challenge featuring wrestlers on WWE's roster competing in a tournament. The event will take place on March 29 at the Gem Theater in Detroit. Raw stars scheduled to be there includes: Jeff Hardy, Carlito, Mickie James, Johnny Nitro, Melina and Kenny Dykstra. Smackdown stars scheduled to be there includes: Batista, Chavo Guerrero, Ashley, Mr. Kennedy and Montel Vontavious Porter. And ECW stars scheduled to be there includes: Bobby Lashley, CM Punk, Tommy Dreamer, Kelly Kelly and Matt Striker. Musical group Nonpoint will also be performing at the event.
 
The following is an article from SI.com:

SI.com: What's the latest? Do investigators believe any of Wilbirt's "patients" were athletes?

Llosa/Wertheim: Yes. We'd already seen his name come up in conjunction with Kurt Angle, a 1996 Olympic gold-medal-winning freestyle wrestler and now a star professional wrestler who allegedly received two prescriptions for trenbolone and one for nandrolone between October 2004 and February '05. It turns out Angle isn't the only pro wrestler alleged to have received prescriptions from Wilbirt. According to the official documents we reviewed, Wilbirt was billed for HCG and the steroid stanozolol that were sent to WWE star Eddie Guerrero in early 2005. (Guerrero died on Nov. 13, 2005, in a Minneapolis hotel room due to what a coroner later ruled as heart disease, complicated by an enlarged heart resulting from a history of anabolic steroid use.) Wilbirt also allegedly issued prescriptions for the steroids nandrolone and stanozolol to Oscar Gutierrez, whose stage name is Rey Mysterio. (Through the WWE, Gutierrez declined comment.) When reached at his home Wilbirt spoke with us briefly, asserting, "I'm not even practicing medicine now, so... I don't remember doing half the stuff you're talking about." (The Arizona Medical Board confirms that his license is currently suspended.) Asked specifically about the professional wrestlers, Wilbirt remarked: "I'll tell you one thing and then this conversation is going to end. They had done blood work and had laboratory work done and they had come to see me." Wilbirt obviously remains a "person of interest" for the investigators. In total, there were 11 professional wrestlers listed in the documents that we saw. Some of these wrestlers are working as independents; some are out of the business entirely; others are first-tier stars. Consider Randy Orton, who allegedly received eight prescriptions for six different drugs -- stanozolol, nandrolone, anastrozole, Clomiphene citrate, oxandrolone and testosterone -- between March 2004 and August 2004. (Through the WWE, Orton declined comment.) Interestingly, according to the documents, Orton's prescriptions came from the same two doctors whose names appeared on the prescriptions in major league outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.'s file.

SI.com: Most of the athletes named in your previous stories were allegedly receiving human growth hormone. It sounds as though the professional wrestlers were allegedly mostly receiving steroids.

Llosa/Wertheim: Right. At some level this stands to reason: The skill-set required for pro wrestling is obviously different from that of most other competitive sports. According to the documents two prominent wrestlers, Adam Copeland, a.k.a. Edge, and Shane Helms, a.k.a. The Hurricane, received HGH. (Through the WWE, Copeland and Helms didn't respond to a request for comment.) But virtually all the others allegedly received a wide variety of anabolic steroids. In each case these were supplied by Applied, the Mobile, Ala., compounding pharmacy that was raided last fall.

SI.com: Does the WWE have a drug policy?

Llosa/Wertheim: Gary Davis, a WWE spokesman, pointed us to a Talent Wellness Program instituted in February 2006. As to whether anabolic steroids and HGH are banned, Davis sent us an email quoting the policy: "The WWE policy prohibits the use of performance-enhancing drugs, as well as other prescription drugs which can be abused, if taken for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. For purposes of WWE's policy, prescriptions obtained over the Internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the Internet are not considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose. Citing privacy issues, Davis declined to say whether WWE wrestlers have tested positive for banned substances since the policy was implemented.
 
Deuce & Domino's "Greasers" act may be getting blown off. They lost to Henry O. Godwinn & Cousin Cletus (Ray Gordy) in a dark match prior to SmackDown last week. That's not a good sign. They haven't appeared on television since 2/23.

As things stand now, the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony won't be airing on the USA Network because they don't want to clear time for it. A 'Law and Order' marathon is scheduled to be shown during the night of the WWE HOF ceremony. However, the show will likely be broadcast on WWE.com. You can also catch it on DVD when the WrestleMania DVD set is released in May.
 
The following is from WWE.com:

All of the allegations set forth in a recent SI.com article mentioning WWE predate the initiation of WWE’s current Talent Wellness Program. This WWE program prohibits the use of performance enhancing drugs, as well as other prescription drugs which can be abused, if taken for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. For purposes of WWE's policy, prescriptions obtained over the Internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the Internet are not considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose.


Interesting response there, and I am assuming that what they meant (and what Ryan Clark thought they meant) is that most of the wrestlers named took any drugs before Eddie's death and the start to the wellness program. There doesn't seem to be any evidence saying that they took them after this.
 
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

--One of the main reasons for WWE moving this year’s ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view out of the Hammerstein Ballroom is due to the fact that the brand flopped and this year’s event will be ECW/RAW/SmackDown One night Stand. WWE officials feared that they could potentially face massive embarrassment due to “old school” ECW fans using the event as a protest vehicle. Stephanie McMahon argued in meetings that if Paul Heyman was still with the company, he would find ways to get fans in New York to sabotage the show.

-- WWE has release yet another WrestleMania promotional poster touting the company’s return to Detroit, Michigan in over twenty years. You can check it out at this link.
 
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

--The Rock’s surprise appearance at last week’s RAW in Washington D.C. was put together by WWE writer, Brian Gerwitz. Gerwitz is said to be one of the few people within the company who still stay in contact with The Rock. The entire promo was taped without the former WWE champion using a script.

--As of right now it appears this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will be held only on WWE.com. The USA Network has not cleared a timeslot for the event.
 
Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

When Rey Mysterio was at the SmackDown show in San Diego a few weeks ago, he was asked if he could return to the brand now. He was walking around with a limp backstage and doctors have advised him to not return until July. Also note, he doesn't really need a cane. He only used a cane in his appearance so that Vince could use it on him to get heel heat. When he returns, there are plans for him to be one of the big eight stars in the company on his own, as opposed to doing some sort of Eddie Guerrero-related story.

Chris Jericho is definitely itching to return to the ring, but he would prefer a Mick Foley-type part-time schedule. He would go to TNA if the money was right, and the schedule would be ideal, but he has been pretty consistent in telling people that WWE is his first preference.
 
Roy Sutherland sent in this interesting fact: I just looked some thing up that for the last 5 years straight.

2003- Torrie Wilson
2004- Torrie and Sable
2005- Christy Hemme
2006- Candice
2007- Ashley

There has been one WWE Diva who have guest appeared in Playboy each year since 2003.

While some Major League Baseball players attended TNA's 3/11 Destination X PPV in Orlando, one in particular wouldn't come to the show. Apparently Cleveland Indian Travis Hafner turned it down out of loyalty he feels for WWE. He told teammates attending the TNA show would be like cheating on his wife.
 
WWE is currently selling a new D-Generation X t-shirt featuring Shawn Michaels and Triple H. The shirt is basically a play off the original one that has been released for some time now, except Triple H is shown on crutches in this t-shirt. And no, you didn't read that wrong.

Daniel Stephenson sent this in: Just a quick tip. I was at the bookstore the other day and saw the latest issue of Today's Bride magazine featuring Trish Stratus. The magazine is profiling her departure from wrestling to start a family and her wedding.

According to reports, Mark Henry has gotten out of shape, and weighs around 450 to 460 lbs. Dave Meltzer says he is completely immobile in the ring.
 
The Associated Press has picked up the SI.com article from yesterday that links several WWE wrestlers to steroids and HGH. This means that the article will be featured all over the place over the next few days. Many major outlets including FOX News, MSNBC, CNN, and ESPN have already covered the story.

The Sun out of the UK has an audio interview up with Chris Benoit. In the interview, he talks about the new ECW and how he doesn't think fans want to see really hardcore wrestling anymore. He also talks about TNA and says that he and others watched their Monday night special a few weeks ago and were surprised at their lack of direction. He also discusses WCW, MMA, and more.

The Detroit Press has an interview up with Rob Van Dam where he talks about his pre-match routine, his marriage, his dream match, and more
 
Matt Hardy is interviewed in the new issue of WWE Magazine. He responds to the fact that his return to WWE hasn't been as "triumphant" as some thought it would be. "I knew I'd be fighting an uphill battle and there are definitely some things I would have done different." He said that the bottom line was that he wanted to get back in WWE and got what he wanted. When asked about life backstage without Lita, he said the following. "It's a lot less stressful. People don't see what went on behind the camera. It was just a roller-coaster all the time. There were so many feelings involved, and there still are. I'm definitely glad she's not around anymore - out of sight, out of mind."
 
Stars of the Game in Windsor, Ontario issued the following press release: For fans looking for the Ultimate Chris Jericho Experience, we bring to you Raw Is Jericho, live Monday, March 26 at Stars of the Game from 6 pm to 11pm. For only $100, you get the free autograph signing as well as a 8x10 photo to get signed by Y2J himself. Then from 9pm until 11pm, sit with Chris Jericho and watch WWE Raw from the comfort of Stars of the Game's posh VIP room. There will be non-alcoholic beverages and finger foods supplied as well as the opportunity to hang out with the coolest wrestler turned rock god. The Ultimate Experience also gets you a free ticket to Thursday's Fozzy concert, well over a $100 value! Seating is extremely limited and only the first 15 people to call and buy this VIP pass will be accepted. Don't miss out on this extremely rare and awesome life opportunity. For ticket info email [email protected] . 2 auctions for 1 VIP pass each for the Ultimate Chris Jericho Experience in Windsor during Wrestlemania 23 week are available for bid on Ebay. The link to the action is listed below: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300093018647.

The WWE Magazine features a short article on Bob Holly. Bob Holly not being featured in many WrestleMania events was brought up and Bob responded; "It would bother anybody, especially when you know you have the talent. It's not due to the lack of talent, it's not due to being unpopular with the fans. It's due to somebody somewhere who doesn't like me."

The Bridgeport, CT WWE Monday Night RAW taping in April is already sold out.

According to XM Radio, rapper Ludacris will be performing at WWE WrestleMania 23.
 
Source: PWInsider.com Audio

- Major drug testing took place at the TV tapings today. You can likely expect many suspensions in the coming weeks.

- WWE was aware that this story was coming, so it wasn't a big shock to them.

- Shortly before the story broke yesterday afternoon, Vince McMahon's mood totally changed backstage. It wasn't so much anger as it was concern.

- When TNA wrestler Kurt Angle was named in the investigation a few weeks ago, some people in WWE said stuff along the lines of, "Serves him right, he was a jerk when he was leaving here." However, when the tables were turned on WWE with some of their wrestlers being named, a few people were shook up to say the least.

- Many in WWE are starting to wonder if the Wellness Policy will return to being how it was before where a number of guys were suspended.

- The wrestler who looks the worst in all of this is obviously Randy Orton. He's been linked to eight drugs and there's no reason to be using that many unless you are indeed abusing them, even if you have legal prescriptions for everything.

- If nothing else comes out from all of this, at the very least the wrestlers named will now be painted with the "Oh, he's the guy named in the steroids thing" from here on out. WWE could have a problem with even more fans going along with the steroid chants and that sort of thing at events, and they obviously don't want that.
 
WWE Raw (9-11:04p) averaged a 3.32 rating among M18-49 and a 3.59 in M18-34 ��" down -7% vs. the prior four weeks in the former demo and down -11% in the latter.

The first hour of Raw did a 3.3 rating, with the second hour posting a 4.0 cable rating. Not the numbers WWE was looking for heading into Wrestlemania 23.
 
Last night's 3/19 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw drew a final 3.7 cable rating. The first hour scored a 3.3 rating, while the second hour scored a 4.0 rating. This is down quite a bit from last week's 4.1 rating. This has to be considered a disappointment so close to WrestleMania 23 and it will be interesting to see how the company bounces back next week.

Vince McMahon, top WWE wrestlers and Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer will all be at a press conference tomorrow at 10:30am ET at the Orlando City Hall Rotunda to make the official announcement that WrestleMania 24 will be taking place in Orlando, Florida next year at the Florida Citrus Bowl. This is an outdoor arena that can hold 65,000 fans for football. It will be the first-ever WrestleMania held outdoors.

As noted earlier, numerous Wellness Tests were given backstage by WWE at the site of today's ECW/Smackdown TV tapings in Cleveland, Ohio. According to one source, over two dozen WWE performers were given urine tests this afternoon. There is no way to know if the testing was planned ahead of time before the story by Sports Illustrated broke yesterday since WWE doesn't give talent notice ahead of time about the tests. However, given the media attention the story has brought to the company in the last two days, it is highly conceivable that the company went forth with tests as a result of the story.

XtremeFalls43 sent this in: On "Around the Horn" they mentioned the Steroids Scandal and being ESPN they mocked the Wrestlers. The host called Edge "the Edge" and called Helms "The Hurricane. However, not good for WWE.

In addition to ESPN picking up the story, the Associated Press picked up the SI.com article as well allowing it to go nationwide. 24/7 cable news networks MSNBC and Fox News also discussed the story as well today.
 
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